Rio Hardy (footballer)

Last updated

Rio Hardy
Rio Hardy Durham Women 2022 (sq cropped).jpg
Hardy playing for Durham in 2022
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 29)
Place of birth Whitehaven, Cumbria, England
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Bristol City
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2014–2017 South Alabama Jaguars 88 (43)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2013–2014 Blackburn Rovers 9 (1)
2018 Grindavík 15 (10)
2019–2021 Apollon Ladies 40 (48)
2021 Coventry United 11 (5)
2022–2023 Durham Women 30 (8)
2023–2025 Rangers 53 (39)
2025- Bristol City 0 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:13, 12 March 2025 (UTC)

Rio Hardy (born 29 June 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League 2 club Bristol City.

Contents

Early life

Hardy grew up in Workington, England, [1] and attended the Stainburn School in the town. [2]

Youth career

As a youth player, Hardy joined the youth academy of Seaton Girls, helping the club win the County Cup. [3] After that, she joined the youth academy of English side Blackburn Rovers, helping the club reach the FA Youth Cup final, where they lost to the youth academy of English side Arsenal. [4]

College career

In 2014, Hardy joined the South Alabama Jaguars in the United States, [5] where she was regarded as one of the team's most important players. [6] [7] She obtained a sports science degree. [8] She previously attended college in Accrington, England. [9]

Club career

In 2018, Hardy signed for Icelandic side Grindavík, where she was regarded as one of the club's most important players. [10] [11] She helped them win the league and qualify for the UEFA Women's Champions League. [12] In 2019, she signed for Cypriot side Apollon Ladies, where she captained the club and was regarded as one of their most important players. [13] In 2021, she signed for English side Coventry United, where she was regarded as one of the club's most important goalscorers, but left due to their liquidation. [14] In 2022, she trained with English side Aston Villa. [15]

In 2023, she signed for Scottish side Rangers. [16]

On 31 July 2025, it was announced that Hardy had been signed for an undisclosed fee from Rangers, joining Bristol City on a two-year contract. [17]

International career

Hardy played for England Colleges at international youth level. [18]

Personal life

Hardy is the twin sister of English footballer Steffi Hardy. [19] She is a supporter of English Premier League side Manchester United. [20] Her family has been based in Workington, England. [21]

References

  1. ↑ "Rio and Steffi Hardy: The Cumbrian twins teaming up in Cyprus". BBC Sport. bbc.com. 6 March 2019.
  2. ↑ "Rio Hardy proving instant hit". cumbriacrack.com (Archived). Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ↑ "Cumbria's homegrown footballing twins". newsandstar.co.uk. 27 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "Rio & Steffi Hardy: From five hour round trips to training to playing in Iceland". 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ↑ "Rio Hardy - Women's Soccer". South Alabama Jaguars . Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  6. ↑ "Record-breaking Workington footballer Rio". timesandstar.co.uk. 3 November 2017.
  7. ↑ "Rio Hardy - Times and Star article". 11 August 2017.
  8. ↑ "How Rio and Steffi got to be professional footballers". newsandstar.co.uk. 27 June 2020.
  9. ↑ "Steffi Hardy went from the UK to Alabama to playing pro soccer in Cyprus". 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ↑ "Rio Hardy - Fotbolti article".
  11. ↑ "Hardy og Hewson best hjá gulum". vf.is.
  12. ↑ "Rio Hardy - It's All Sport To Me article". 4 February 2021.
  13. ↑ "Rio Hardy - Ginekio article". 15 May 2021.
  14. ↑ "Rio Hardy left in limbo". cumbriacrack.com (Archived). Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  15. ↑ "Lifeline possibility for West Cumbria's Rio Hardy". cumbriacrack.com (Archived). Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. ↑ "RIO HARDY: IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY I COULDN'T TURN DOWN".
  17. ↑ Morgan, Ryan (31 July 2025). "Hardy is a Robin". Bristol City FC. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  18. ↑ "Football's rising twin stars show their skills". newsandstar.co.uk. 27 June 2019.
  19. ↑ "Rio Hardy - News and Star article". 9 March 2021.
  20. ↑ "Rio Hardy Living the Dream". lastwordonsports.com. 8 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "Rio Hardy On Her Time At Durham Thus Far". 2 November 2022.
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